“We want black economic empowerment to be real in our company. BEE is not about window dressing or complying with quotas, simply to be awarded points for a tender. It is about empowering others and through this process, empowering our business in the true sense. In this way one then helps to build a better South Africa,” says Successful Events Managing Director, Sue de Waal.

Successful Events Chairman, Lindeni Madlala adds: “As with most small businesses our company has faced the challenge of empowerment with a limited budget and with all the other constraints that a small business faces when trying to remain competitive, while at the same time, still meeting empowerment criteria. Our proactive approach has enabled us not only to address BEE challenges, but by empowering people, we have also been able to open up new markets and opportunities, hitherto unexplored. This strategy has had a very positive impact on the company and we are very excited about our future.”

Established ten years ago, Successful Events is an empowered company. Strategic partner, black owned ECE Consulting Pty Ltd, has a 26% stake in the company and Successful Events Assistant Manager: Road show Division, Margaret Tsoai has a 5% shareholding.

De Waal says “true empowerment” is about recognising the potential in others and providing a nurturing environment in which people are able to flourish and reach their true potential.

“I employed Margaret Tsoai in 1990 to assist me in the daily running of my home, and the care of my children. She soon proved my right hand, enabling me to focus on building the company. As the company grew, I needed someone to assist me, so I asked her to answer the phone and to assist me with setting up at events. Always eager to learn, it soon became apparent that Tsoai had tremendous potential, which I was eager to develop, particularly since she had indicated that she wanted to work in a business environment.

“Starting with the basics, I decided to formally mentor her, allowing her talent, and her ability to ultimately determine her destiny within the company. We sent her on computer and telephony skills training courses and she flourished. She has been with the company for nine years now. Starting as a junior assistant, she has risen through the ranks, and today, manages the company’s Road Show Division. This is a very challenging position, and one which requires excellent organising and problem solving skills as over 6 000 individuals attended these functions last year. We are very proud of her achievements and she has certainly earned her stripes in our company,” she recounts.

The company has recently purchased an additional company vehicle and it is giving Tsoai time off, and also paying for her driving lessons. “Tsoai wants to be able to get to venues independently with her team of helpers, to set up décor, branding and registration. It is a small thing, but it shows how both parties can benefit from the empowerment process. Obtaining a drivers licence will opens all sorts of doors for her. It will also enable her to contribute that much more, to the company,” de Waal observes.

Tsoai adds: “I never thought even in my wildest dreams that I would be able to achieve what I have done with my life. Successful Events has given me the strength and the courage to do so.”

On a personal level Tsoai is now planning to buy her own home.

De Waal says Tsoai is not only a shining example for Gladys Mabuya and Tshepiso Shongwe, two young women whom the company is currently mentoring, but to all young South Africans. “It proves that if one empowers oneself, the sky is the limit,” she observes.

Prior to being employed by Successful Events, Mabuyo, a single mother of three, did piece-meal cleaning jobs. She has been with Successful Events for one year now. Mabuya operates the company’s switchboard, and serves as the company’s receptionist. “Mabuya has grown a great deal over the past year. We have put a lot into mentoring and training her, and in turn, she has grown and derives a lot more job satisfaction with the added responsibilities. Her value to the company has increased in line with her improved skills levels,” de Waal explains.

Twenty-one year old Shongwe worked at a gym previously. She has been placed on a two-year in-house mentorship programme.

“BEE has been a truly empowering experience for everyone in our company. By encouraging everyone to achieve their true potential, we have been able to achieve far more than would have otherwise been possible,” de Waal concludes.

Issued by: Successful Events
Contact: Sue de Waal
Telephone: 011 706 4339, 0824916463
Date: 21 June 2005